ABSTRACT
Trade in seeds is key to guarantee access to food across the globe. COVID-19 led to concerns that seed supply chains would be disrupted and that countries relying on imported seed would not have sufficient supplies for the upcoming season. Focusing on the impact of COVID-19 from the perspective of seed companies and the formal seed sector, this study shows that the global seed sector was reasonably resilient during the crisis, although seed companies headquartered in the Asia Pacific region were more negatively affected than their counterparts in other regions. The two main bottlenecks were the availability of staff in the seed production chain and in government administrations, and the distribution of seed to farmers. Building a more resilient seed supply chain will require policies to ensure the uninterrupted production and movement of seed during lockdowns;the further development of international seed supply chains;and the diversification of seed production. Digitalisation could also improve the availability of information on seed production and trade, enabling faster government responses to disruptions.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: This study aimed to understand and analyze the experiences and knowledge of various health professionals, the social area and an informal caregiver on the integration of care for the elderly in a pandemic context. Method: a qualitative investigation was carried out in which seven participants with distinct but complementary roles in the essence of care participated. Data collection was carried out through the communications of the participants of the seminar "The ping-pong of our elderly - (Re)think, (re)build and Integrate Care" promoted by the Portuguese Association of Integrated Care (PAFIC) within the scope of the VIII Value Conference of the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators (APAH). Results: From the participants' perspective, the integration of care in the person's path is fundamental, and for this, it is necessary to strengthen the articulation between the National Health Service and the social. As well as centering care on the person, allied to the community matrix that leads to the transformation of the current organizational model of care, to the change in management models that have remained unchanged for many years. The integration of people's care depends not only on the activity in the health area but is also conditioned by other sectors of activity, and therefore it is important to assess the role that civil society can play in providing care. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic allowed the reflection on the care of the older people and how partnerships and articulation strategies between the different levels of care, health, social and community could be enhanced.